| Elsewhere in this edition of The Anguilian, it has been reported that the Executive Council gave its approval for a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed between the Governments of Anguilla and St. Maarten for a docking facility at the Simpson Bay Lagoon. |
| This is mainly to help facilitate travel by ferry to Anguilla especially in the case of tourists who, reportedly, have been experiencing much difficulty in getting to the island after long flights from the United States and other travel markets. It has been one of the major matters of concern under discussion between both the Anguilla and St. Maarten Governments for some time. It is believed that there have been recent talks about the proposal, but it was in May last year that, at the invitation of Anguilla, a high-powered ten-member Government of St. Maarten delegation visited the island for talks with the Government and other officials. The discussions, then, were about using Juliana International Airport as a hub, with a section to facilitate Anguilla-bound travellers, as well as associated matters on immigration issues. St. Maarten’s Deputy Prime Minister, Theodore Heyliger, was one ofthat island’s main officials who succinctly stated how his Government wanted to assist Anguilla’s travel needs. “We want to simplify the process of making sure that guests coming to Anguilla have a more seamless effort in getting there through St. Maarten,” he stressed. It is understood that one of the challenges facing travellers to Anguilla has been a proper designated area where in-transit passengers could assemble to board ferries bound for the island. The St. Maarten Minister of Justice, Ronald Duncan, was of the view that an agreement was at hand on the “area which would really help to simplify visitors and residents travelling forward and backward.” From the decision taken by the Executive Council in Anguilla in December, for both Governments to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the lease of property, construction and operation of a docking facility at the Simpson Bay Lagoon, it is assumed that the designated area has now been found. Such an area and facility, in close proximity to Juliana Airport, though costly, should turn out to be a big plus and win-win situation for both Anguilla and St. Maarten. It will be a gathering point for all ferries and other passenger boats travelling to and from Dutch St. Maarten with relatively quick turn-around. St. Maarten’s Immigration personnel will reportedly be stationed there from about 7.30 in the morning until 11 pm. The late hour will make it possible for in-transit tourists to be able to travel to Anguilla rather than having to overnight in St. Maarten. The docking facility will also be of much value to intra-regional travel and business in St. Maarten. The travel difficulties experienced by tourists bound for Anguilla have been of much concern to the Anguilla Tourist Board personnel and industry partners who have had to deal with many complaints. Chairman of the Tourist Board, Eustace Guishard, has spoken about one such complaint from the owner of a 10-million-dollar villa in Anguilla. He quoted the investor/visitor as having said: “I will not bring my family back to Anguilla again. If I can sell this villa, I would do so because I spent five hours with eight of my family members trying to get from St. Maarten to Anguilla. It is quicker to get from New York to Anguilla than from St. Maarten to Anguilla. I am not prepared to go through that anymore.” It is hoped that when the new docking facility and travel arrangements are eventually in operation in St. Maarten, such difficulty would be a thing of the past. Apart from an improved ferry service between St. Maarten and Anguilla, there is also undoubtedly a need to find an improved way of facilitating in-transit passengers by air. It would be a good idea for the relevant authorities and service providers to look into this matter, to see how it could be made easier for travellers by air arriving in St. Maarten, and bound for Anguilla, to be transferred to one of the shuttle airlines operating between the two islands. Be that as it may, it is hoped that the docking facility referred to above would be provided soon so that there could be seamless effort for guests getting to Anguilla through St. Maarten. The move towards that end is not only praiseworthy, but an example of good neighbourly cooperation. |
